Army veteran’s house in Asajaya damaged in fire, defence ministry presents financial aid

Dan (1st left) receiving financial aid from Colonel Mohamed Rosly Darasid at his home in Asajaya on July 20, 2024.

By Dayak Daily Team.

KUCHING, July 20: The Ministry of Defence has given immediate financial aid and necessities to army veteran Dan Koh and his family, whose house was gutted by a fire at Asajaya yesterday (July 19).

In a statement today, the Malaysian Armed Forces First Division Infantry Commander, Major General Datuk Mohamed Fauzi Kamis, said the ministry’s immediate action is to channel humanitarian aid in terms of financial contributions.

Fauzi said the ministry would follow such cases by assisting their veterans and coordinating with agencies such as the Malaysia Army Veteran Department (JHEV), Welfare Department (JKM), and others.

He was represented by First Infantry Division chief of staff Colonel Mohamed Rosly Darasid.

Also present were the Chief of the 3rd Squadron of the Royal Engineer Soldier Regiment (3 Skn RAJD), Lieutenant Colonel George Paul Delam, Director of the Sarawak Department of Veteran Affairs, Major Steven Kadir, and the Commanding Officer of the 1st KPTD Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Amirullah Ithnain.

Yesterday at 3.30pm, a fire broke out at Dan’s house where he, his wife, two children, and a grandchild lived.

When the incident happened, no one was home. The ex-veteran was only informed by a neighbour that there was a fire, and he rushed home and managed to save some items.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) arrived at 3.25pm and put the fire out by 5pm.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a short circuit in the electrical wiring in the kitchen, and the loss incurred has yet to be assessed.

The retiree has seven children, and four of them are members of the Malaysian Armed Forces. — DayakDaily